Toowoomba wedding industry: A Touch of Romance buys out Wedding World amid trunk show revamp

After buying out a longstanding competitor, the owner of a Toowoomba wedding dress and formalwear business has revealed a complete overhaul that includes exclusive “showcases”.

David Walker of Brandaquarium in the Touch of Romance Bridal and Formal showroom in Highfields with a showpiece Roz la Klein bridal gown on display in the background, Thursday, March 28, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The overseas-based owner of a popular Toowoomba wedding dress and formalwear shop has revealed plans to revamp his entire business model after buying out a longstanding competitor.

A Touch of Romance Bridal and Formal’s David Walker has taken over the branding, contacts list and stock of 35-year CBD business Wedding World, which closed last week.

David Walker in the Touch of Romance Bridal and Formal showroom in Highfields with a showpiece Roz la Klein bridal gown on display in the background, Thursday, March 28, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mr Walker, who lives in Bangkok but regularly travels between Thailand, China and Toowoomba to manage his growing business, said the move would coincide with a complete revision of his business away from traditional 9-5 opening hours.

He said instead of staffing his Highfields showroom six days a week, the business would move online for more affordable customised dresses, while hosting more than a dozen Wedding World-branded “trunk shows” a year to exhibit top dress designers from across Australia.

“Instead of 30 appointments available at the showroom over a month, we’re going to relaunch with one glamorous weekend a month,” Mr Walker said.

“We’ll bring 30-40 pieces and a top designer to spend time with that girl and her bridesmaids — we’re going to run 12 to 13 of them a year, always with a different collection.

“For the other 24-27 days of a month, (the showroom) is basically a big billboard for the next event three weeks away.

“A Touch of Romance is (also) pivoting into an online shop that gives it a look and feel touch, but on the new website, you can customise your dress and ask for a quote.”

David Walker of Brandaquarium in the Touch of Romance Bridal and Formal showroom in Highfields, Thursday, March 28, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The upcoming showcase from April 12-14 will feature Sydney curator Adele Vittoria, who is reportedly bringing in $160,000 worth of dresses by designers like Jack Sullivan Bridal, Jean Fox, Brides Desire, Gilded Rose, Wendy Ann, Eliza and Ethan and Jadore.

Mr Walker said the move had been directed by brides, who wanted a more exclusive experience that did not fall inside traditional opening hours.

“The bridal business has to change, because brides don’t want to do 9-5, they want every month to see something different,” he said.

“Brides are telling us they want those top Sydney labels and they want to come outside of traditional hours, so I sat down and came up with this.

“They’re expecting me to have 30 pieces a month every month (available), and the sustainable way to do that is these showcases, which we call trunk shows.

“Wedding World will be better than it’s ever been by increasing the scarcity, we’re making it more exclusive.”

While the dresses at trunk shows will cost on average about $3700, Mr Walker said items on the website started from just $95.

“I’ve got the online store and living in Bangkok gives me a one-hour flight to the Chinese factories to ensure that our dresses meet standards,” he said.

“There has been a race to the bottom with bridal recently, (which means) dresses still need to be hand-selected by someone who cares.”

Mr Walker said the hope with the trunk shows was to attract brides from not just Toowoomba, but also from southwest Queensland and as far east as Ipswich.